Microscope and Forensics

Microscopes are scientific instruments used to aid people in looking at things or objects that are too small to the naked eye. Microscopes have been used in a wide range of applications and by people of all ages, starting with simple toy microscopes to microscopes of the professional level. Without a doubt, microscopes have provided a huge step for the advancement of so many fields especially in science and industry. More importantly, microscopes have played a huge role in the improvement of forensic science. Forensic science or forensics is the study of clues and evidences found at a crime scene, at the same time identifying and interpreting them. Microscopes have contributed a lot on forensic science, especially with the invention of the comparison microscope which allowed a simultaneous viewing of evidence for comparison.

What we will be discussing in this article are the various evidence viewed under the microscope that are vital to the solving of a crime. There is evidence in a crime scene that is hard to figure out, and the use of the forensic microscope assists with that. These examples can be taken as a simple classroom microscope activity for elementary as well as high school students. While fingerprints and footprints only require magnifying lenses in order to compare and contrast their differences, there is some trace evidence that needs to be placed under a high power or low power microscope. Examples of these are threads, fibers and wires. In committing a crime, someone may accidently brush up against sharp or rough edges like the corner table.

This causes a part of your clothing like tiny threads and fibers to be pulled off. Under a low power stereo microscope and a high power compound light microscope, these tiny threads can exhibit characteristics like shape, twist, and smoothness that will help identify what type of fiber the clothes were made from. Investigators will know whether the clothes are made from natural or synthetic fiber. Moreover, clothes manufacturers usually keep photographic records of the different types of fibers they use, giving investigators resources to access from. Forensic scientists use low power comparison microscopes to match the fibers found in the crime scene to a suspected person’s clothing.

Also, a microscope examination will reveal what type of tools are used in cutting wires and fibers. Try looking at a wire end under a low power stereo microscope. You will see that the ends of the wire appear rough and jagged. These marks left by the tool that cut it are called striations and forensic scientists use comparison microscope to look at the striations of the wire found at the crime scene to the striations of a test tool which was brought from manufacturers. This gives them the information about the cutter as well as the probable places where it was purchased. At the event that they find the wire cutters from a probable suspect, then a microscope comparison should be done in order to know whether it was used or not in the crime. Storekeepers might also remember the face of the person who purchased the tool, bringing the investigators one step closer to solving the crime.

More pieces of evidence that involve microscope comparison and examination are the bullets and knives. The study of weapons, especially of firearms, is an important aspect of forensic science. This area of forensic science is also called ballistics. In ballistics, the fragments of bullets or bullet casings found at the scene of the crime are examined under a low power microscope. Forensic scientists study the striations found on these evidences and, among a list of suspected guns, they will find out which of these the bullet came from with the use of a low power comparison microscope. This is due to the fact that, like fingerprints, bullets leave impression on the barrels of the guns that is unique and only one, making it possible for investigators to trace which gun was fired. Comparisons can also be made with a broken tip of a knife that is found. With the use of a low power compound microscope, forensic scientists can match the tip of the knife to its body like a jigsaw puzzle. This is possible because you will be able to see scratch marks and jagged edges on the surface of the knife under a low power stereo microscope.

Another evidence for microscope comparisons under a microscope is the layers of paint. Tiny pieces of paint can be chipped off cars or surfaces once it bumps roughly against something else. If we look at these paint chips under the microscope, we will see the various layers of the paint which can be analyzed for its thickness, chemical composition and color, making it possible for investigators to identify the model of the car used or to confirm that a specific car was involved in the crime. Skin and hairs are also very important evidence that is analyzed under the microscope. For example, the victim might have scratched his attacker, making it possible for skin cells and hair to enter the victim’s fingernails.

This information can be used by forensic scientists for genetic fingerprinting. Human hair, when viewed under a high power compound light microscope, can provide information about the person’s sex, age or ethnicity. By studying the surface patterns of the hair under the high power microscope, forensic scientists can identify whether the hair belongs to a human or what kind of animal. Hair damage or anomalies can also lead to the suspect of the crime.

Body cells also provide very precise information that will lead to solve a crime. Bloodstains that are analyzed under a high power microscope can instantly reveal the persons involved. The mass of microscopic cells that are found in blood can tell whether the owner has certain diseases or abnormality, making it easier for investigators to match them to a blood sample from a possible suspect. Examinations of biological specimens using a high power electron microscope can also identify the gender of the person. This may also be the case with traces of sperm cell from a sexual attack. Sperm can be found on clothing examined under a high power compound light microscope. These can easily identify the man involved in the crime.

Microscopes have truly given forensic science a huge leap on crime solving. Because of low power and high power comparison microscopes, we are able to study evidence in greater detail, helping to solve more crimes and ensure the proper person is identified.